Nikolay Zabolotsky: biography, creativity

The Silver Age gave the world a pleiad of amazing poets. Akhmatova, Mandelstam, Tsvetaeva, Gumilev, Blok ... Whether the time was so extraordinary, or the universe for a moment hesitated, and the probability theory missed this incredible coincidence. But one way or another, the beginning of the twentieth century is the time of fireworks, festive fireworks in the world of Russian poetry. The stars flashed and went out, leaving behind poetry - known and not very much.

The famous unknown Zabolotsky

One of the most underrated authors of that time was the poet N. Zabolotsky. Everyone knows that Akhmatova is a genius, but not everyone can quote her poetry. The same applies to Blok or Tsvetaeva. But Zabolotsky's work is known almost all - but many have no idea that this is Zabolotsky. "Kissed, bewitched, with the wind in the field ...", "The soul must work ..." and even "Kotya, kotenko, kotok ...". All this - Zabolotsky Nikolay Alekseevich. Poems belong to his pen. They went to the people, became songs and children's lullabies, the author's name turned into an extra formality. On the one hand - the most sincere declaration of love from all possible. On the other - a blatant injustice towards the author.

The prosaic poet

The curse of underappreciation has affected not only poetry poetry, but also his own life. She was always "not in the suit." Did not meet the standards, ideas and aspirations. For the scientist, he was too poet, for the poet - too common man, for the philistine - too dreamer. His spirit did not match his body. A middle-aged blond, chubby and inclined to fatness, Zapolotsky made the impression of a person of a thorough and sedate. A solid young man of a very prosaic appearance did not correspond in any way to the notions of a true poet-sensitive, vulnerable and restless. And only people who knew Zabolotsky close, understood that under this external sham importance is a surprisingly sensitive, sincere and cheerful person.

Infinite contradictions Zabolotsky

Even the literary circle in which Nikolai Alekseevich Zabolotsky turned out was "wrong." Oberiuty - dysfunctional, ridiculous, paradoxical, seemed the most inappropriate company for a serious young man. Meanwhile, Z. was very friendly with Kharms, with Oleinikov, and with Vvedensky.

Another paradox of inconsistency is the literary preferences of Zabolotsky. Famous Soviet poets left him indifferent. He did not like the highly valued Akhmatova environment. But the restless, restless, ghostly-surrealistic Khlebnikov seemed to Zapolotsky a great and profound poet.

The worldview of this man painfully contrasted with his appearance, his way of life and even his origin.

Childhood

Zabolotsky was born on 24.04.1903 in the Kazan province, the Kizicheskaya Sloboda. His childhood was spent on farms, in villages and villages. The father is an agronomist, the mother is a village teacher. They lived first in the Kazan province, then moved to the village of Sernur Vyatka province. Now it is the republic of Mari El. Later, many noted the characteristic northern dialect, breaking through in the poet's speech - after all, it was from there that Nikolai Zabolotsky was born. The biography of this person is closely intertwined with his work. Love for the land, respect for peasant labor, a touching attachment to animals, the ability to understand them - all this Zbolotsky took from his rural childhood.

Zabolotsky began to write poetry early. Already in the third grade he "published" a manuscript magazine, in which he published his own works. And he was engaged in this with his inherent diligence and diligence.

At the age of ten, Zbolotsky entered the real school of Urzhum. There he was fond of not only literature, as one might expect, but also chemistry, drawing, history. These hobbies later determined the choice that Nikolai Zabolotsky made. The biography of the poet has preserved traces of creative throwing, searching for oneself. Arriving in Moscow, he entered immediately to two faculties of the university: medical and historical and philological. Later he chose all the same medicine and even studied there for a semester. But in 1920, it was difficult for a student to live in the capital without outside help. Unable to withstand the lack of money, Zabolotsky returned to Urzhum.

Poet and scientist

Later, Zabolotsky still graduated from the institute, but already Petrograd, at the rate "Language and Literature". I wrote poems, but they did not consider him talented. Yes, and he himself spoke about his works of that period as weak and thoroughly imitative. People around him saw him as a scientist rather than a poet. Indeed, science was the area that always interested in Nikolai Zabolotsky. The biography of the poet could have developed differently if he had decided not to study versification, but scientific research, to which he always had an inclination.

After training, Zabolotsky was drafted into the army. During the service he entered the editorial board of the regimental wall newspaper and was very proud of the fact that she was the best in the district.

Zabolotsky in Moscow

In 1927, Zabolotsky nevertheless returned to Moscow, from which he left seven years ago in great disappointment. But now he was no longer a student, but a young poet. Zabolotsky plunged headlong into the turbulent literary life of the capital. He attended debates and poetry evenings, dined at famous cafes where Moscow poets were regulars.

During this period, Zabolotsky's literary tastes were finally formed. He came to the conclusion that poetry should not just be a reflection of the author's emotions. No, in verse you need to talk about important, about the right things! How such views on poetry were combined with love for Khlebnikov's work is a mystery. But it was his Zabolotsky believed the only poet of that period, worthy of the memory of the descendants.

Zabolotsky surprisingly combined the incongruous. He was a scientist in spirit, a practitioner and a pragmatist to the core. He was interested in mathematics, biology, astronomy, and read scientific works on these disciplines. A great impression was made on him by the philosophical works of Tsiolkovsky, Zabolotsky even entered into correspondence with the author, discussing cosmogonic theories. And at the same time it was a subtle, lyrical, emotional poet writing poetry, infinitely far from academic dryness.

First book

It was then that one more name appeared on the lists of OBERIU members - Nikolai Zabolotsky. The biography and creativity of this man were closely connected with a circle of poets-innovators. The absurd, grotesque, illogical stylistics of the Oberiuts combined with Zabolotsky's academic thinking and his deep sensitivity made it possible to create works that are complex and multifaceted.

In 1929, Zabolotsky's first book, The Columns, was published. Alas, the result of the publication were only ridicule of critics and discontent of the official authorities. Fortunately for Zabolotsky, there were no serious consequences for this incidental conflict with the regime. After publishing the book, the poet was published in the magazine Zvezda and even prepared material for the next book. Unfortunately, this verse collection was never signed for publication. A new wave of persecution forced the poet to leave dreams of publication.

Nikolai Alekseevich Zabolotsky began to work in the genre of children's literature, in the publications that Marshak himself oversaw - at that time in the literary world a figure of exceptional significance.

Work as an interpreter

In addition, Zabolotsky began to deal with translations. "The Knight in the Panther's Skin" is still familiar to readers precisely in the translation of Zabolotsky. In addition, he translated and moved for children's editions of Gargantua and Pantagruel, Till Eulenspiegel and one section of Gulliver's Travels.

Marshak, the country's No. 1 translator, spoke highly of Zabolotsky's work. Then the poet began to work on the translation from the Old Slavonic "Lay of the Host of Igor." It was a huge work, done extraordinarily talently and carefully.

Translated Zabolotsky and Alberto Saba, little-known in the USSR Italian poet.

Marriage

In 1930, Zabolotsky married Catherine Klykova. Friends-oberiuty spoke of her exceptionally warm. Even the sarcastic Kharms and Oleynikov were fascinated by the fragile silent girl.

Zabolotsky's life and work were closely connected with this amazing woman. Zabolotsky was never rich. Moreover, he was poor, sometimes simply poor. Scant earnings of an interpreter barely allowed to support the family. And all these years, Ekaterina Klykova not only supported the poet. She completely gave him the reins of government of the family, never arguing with him in anything and not reproaching him with anything. Even friends of the family were amazed at the devotion of the woman, noting that there is something not entirely natural in such selflessness. The way of the house, the slightest economic decisions - all this was determined only by Zabolotsky.

Arrest

Therefore, when in 1938 the poet was arrested, Klykova's life collapsed. All five years of her husband's imprisonment she spent in Urzhum, in extreme poverty.

Zabolotsky was accused of anti-Soviet activities. Despite lengthy exhausting interrogations and torture, he did not sign the indictments, did not recognize the existence of an anti-Soviet organization and did not name any of its alleged members. Perhaps this is what saved his life. The verdict was a prison sentence, and Zabolotsky spent five years in Vostokla, located in the Komsomolsk-on-Amur region. There, in inhuman conditions, Zabolotsky was engaged in a verse translation of the "Lay of Igor's Host". As the poet later explained, in order to preserve himself as a person, not to descend to a state in which it is already impossible to create.

Last years

In 1944, the term was interrupted, and Zabolotsky was granted the status of exile. He spent a year in Altai, where his wife and children came, and then moved to Kazakhstan. These were hard times for the family. Lack of work, money, eternal uncertainty in the future and fear. They were afraid of re-arrest, they were afraid that they would expel from temporary housing, they were afraid of everything.

In 1946, Zabolotsky returned to Moscow. He lives with friends, works with remittances, life begins to slowly improve. And then another tragedy happens. Wife, infinitely faithful devoted wife, courageously endured all the hardships and hardships, suddenly leaves for another. Do not betray for fear for your life or the lives of children, do not run away from poverty and adversity. Just in forty-nine years, this woman is going to another man. This broke Zabolotsky. A proud, self-interested poet painfully experienced the collapse of family life. Life Zabolotsky gave a roll. He rushed about, frantically searching for a way out, trying to create at least the appearance of a normal existence. He offered his hand and heart to an unfamiliar, in fact, woman, and, according to the memoirs of friends, not even personally, but by phone. Hastily married, spent some time with his new wife and broke up with her, simply having crossed out his second wife from his life. It was she, and not his wife, who dedicated the poem "My precious woman."

Zabolotsky went to work. He translated a lot and fruitfully, he had orders, and finally he began to earn a decent salary. He could survive the break with his wife - but could not survive her return. When Ekaterina Klykova returned to Zabolotsky, he had a heart attack. He had been ill for a month and a half, but during that time had managed to put all his affairs in order: he sorted out his poems and wrote a will. He was a thorough man in death, just like in life. By the end of his life, the poet had money, popularity, and reader attention. But this could not change anything. Zabolotsky's health was undermined by camps and years of poverty, and the heart of an elderly man could not stand the loads caused by emotions.

The death of Zabolotsky began on 14.10.1958. He died on the way to the bath, where he went to brush his teeth. Doctors forbade Zabolotsky to get up, but he was always a neat and even a little pedantic person in his life.